Artificial limb and method of making same



E. R. WILLIAMS ARTIFICIAL mus AND mamon OF. MAKING sum F1166 Sept. 10, 1924 2 Sheets-Shet Oct. 2 25 1927. 1,646,469

I E. R. WILLIAMS ARTIFICIAL LIMB AND METHOD OF MAKING SAHE Filed Sept. 10, 1924 2 Sheets-SheetZ Patented Oct. 25,- 1927. V

a, f EDWIN R. WILLIAMS, on PHILnnE P rA, PiiiiusYLvAuiIll;. i

. -ARTIFICI-AL1LIMB AND. ME iaon-on MAKING A nc'aeti med September 10,1924. satin u ie'feissal.

: The object of. this invention 'is to provide I improvements in artificial limbs and in the method ofmaking the sainef H The usual artificial limb is ma deof Wood,

though some have been made of sheetmetal but with only partial success towards the desired end. The Wooden limb is diitieult to make, due to the necessity oft' hollowing out the: interiorlofthe leg from which theshin in partieula'ris made, besides its being sus- 'ceptible to the deteriorating eftectsof ati V mospheric changes, liable to split orfcrack,

' and, offering difiiculties in final finishing includinga complete covering of rawhide,

' "a wooden'shin; presents difficulties when it comes to .properly-; securi1 1g the thigh and 'foot together, together-with their hinged connections, thereto, "as the connectionoi' these latter elements demands the use of screws, rivets and bolts Whichloosenand create objectionable noises as the limb is sub jected to prolonged usage, besides tending to split the Wooden partsjto a'clegr'eevvhich increases as the 'Weight'of the latter is les- On the Qther'handQ hen substituting nost metals for'wood, ln'creased rlgidltyis ob tained, together with a more permanent con" nection betWeenthe shin, thigh and foot elements, but these same metalshave offered other drawbacks which fare characteristic: of; themselves. 'For instance, some metals, such as copper and brass, can be drawn, spun and V hammeredinto 'desired'shapes, and canbe mined shape.

ivelded or soldered at their j'oints an d to other elenrients but they are much too heavy When of sufficient gauge to Withstand the tendency of blows-to dent'thern, and to resist'thefcru'sjhing elfect of a persons weight,

Iron and steel though resistive'to compress on Strains, readily ru st-,'-part1cularly when fluids such as perspiration and other human ex eretions touch them." Therefore, by eliminationywe come to aluminum, Whichis oer} tainly light enough in w veight and can be shaped about forms, but which pres'ents the objections of insufficient rigidity to su'pport though in. the end this type of limb possessesa relative lightnes in Weight. Furthermore,

requisite. successionioi": dies is tremendously and thighsv cannot be rounded: easilyfan'd otherwise} shaped r as w desired, Wherefore drawing- 1scommerelallyimpracticable+perk 1 "sons requirlng artificial limbs universallyl'de-l stan clard, relat ively shapeless shin 'and a's so i ciatedelementsfvvhich totally lack individu- I alityofappeariance fit contour, etc. f .Thuswev come to the' one metal alloy,

jwar that has been k own by artificiallimb manufacturers 'topossess substantially all of the required characteristics; but 7 which until recently offered obstacles to itsuse-in com- ,thejseams. This mjosjt important detail" of W ld ejb ns he key to t e lu n Qit entlre problemgand it having been mastered,

merci'a'l individual limb manufacture due to the difficultyin Welding 'it -sseams, some stat ng that it cannot bedon and othersev a'd- "111g the is'suebyriveting strips "of metalovr 1 an'obj'ect o'ffthe, invention is to provideja vformed of duralumin sections aboutfmodels so as to embody the exact shape and measurements of the natural limb of the user,- and the'fseamsof the sections Welded together. and i then ground and burnishe'd'so that it iniav possible to detect in inostcases the lines ofi union, even-in the absence of a rawhide or other covering whi h, With duralumin; be-

come's unnecessary.

- Fromi such a hollovv, humanly shaped .du ralunii'nshin, in association with other elements; including the foot and the thighvv hen necessary, an object is to -provi de aniimprove d'artificial limbQhaVing a Weight lidhtervthanthatof Yvoodby asinu'chva's 30% to 2 50%; offcompi'ession and t nsflestrengths nearly. equal to that'of steel; capable of-freceiving and maintaining inany desired finones Weight, cannotfl be Welded commercially I when in thin gauge sheets, and is too easily dented and bent to 'niaintainits' predeter- I For any of'these metals, it

should be stated thatvto form a hollow 'tu'bu-' "lar'sh'in or thigh, is objectionable in that the itpossible toi'ncorporate in'the ends of the,

gand eign ng many advantages 'forsej-i cur ng related elements to it, besides making v v 10 5 3 shin and thigh 'membersfl any shape'wh'ich "maybe desired;inorder'to; cornespond -with a 1 that of'th'e 'nat-ural'limb, or"'vvhich'lmay be idesir ed for. mechanical reasons s l -e1 weer bi eis Pr v d W of making artificial limbs, and particularly the shin and thigh members, which consists broadly in forminga model preferably from a wooden block, to conform in shape and size with the remaining limb of the-indi vid ual, or to the natural limb as it should lee-according to known ideal shapes and dimensi'ons, said block being radially less in size than the naturallimb only enough to equal the thickness of the particular gauge of-duraluininr used, then hammering 'or otherwise.v shaping sections of sheet duralumin aboutsaid model, shaping theend por tionsfof 'said sections as hereinafter describedtheir welding together the adjacent seams of the ,duralumin sections, and grindsuch an artificial limb a mechanically iin i'ng and burnishing said welded seams to 0b-- lliterate all trace of the seam and the welding,

aaermmh the foot andshin, together with a. thigh when required, are 7 connected togetherias hereinafter described. Q

' And 'a still further object s to provide n proved knee joint and its relation with the -'knee;and shin' members; as well as to pro' ,videa mechanically improved connection between the lower end portion of the shin 'ineinberand thefoot, v e I 1 lVithlthese and "other objects in view,the present [invention COInplflSQS additional novel details of construction and operation herein-' .1 latterfullybrought outfjin the following del scription, when read conj unction a with the v accompanying drawings, in which: a

Fjgr 1 is a sue elevationof one einbodig mentof theinvention partly in sect1on;

" Fig.2 a. section on the line 2-2 of Fig. 18a section on theline of Fig. 1:;

3 Fig 4: is a'perspectiveview of one formed metal, section from which the thigh is made;

' Pg. 9 i'sasectionon the line 5 is} a" perspective view-of thecoma pp' lete metallic thigh section;

' metal section fromvwhichfthe .shin is made;

Fig. 6 1s a perspective v ew of one formed Fig. 7 is a horizontal section on the line 7- -'-7o,f-Fig.1;' U a s. @Fig .8 is [a vertica-l fragmentary section 11 0f foot, lowerportion of the shim-and the ,means forfco'nnecting them;

9 90f Fig.8;

V ffEig. ,10 is a perspective viewof. a block? I shapedito cqrrespond with onesthighand about whichfthe sections shown in Fig. "4 firefih mdra j 11 .is a jperspective view' of a block shaped to correspon'dfwithl ones shin 1 and aboutwhich the sections I shown in Fig. 6 areshapeda {Referring to fthe drawings, one einhodi-., lgment is?) shown as '.compri'sing,E-mainly, a

thigh elei'nent 1A, fa shin elementZB, anda foot element vC. In, order to make the thigh element the exact dimensions offlthe thigh-- stump of the person needing the limb are taken, and a preferably. solid block ofwood 1, such as that shown in Fig. 10, "is shaped so as to comprise an exact model of said thigh'stump (notshown), with any exceptions as to details which may bedictated by experience towards the end of 'making a most comfortable fitting of the-completed artificial limb upon the remaining portion of the limb of the wearer.

In order to form the thighielement A, as many sections of duralumin in sheet form are cut as desired,'but in thisinstance said element is formed of but two sections, the left-hand section 2 of which is shown in perspective in Fig.4, a'fter the otherwise fiat v sheet has been repeatedly annealed'andhammered, or otherwise shaped, so as to fit snugly and uniformly about the corresponding portion of. the thigh modelfblock 1. As

hammering duraluinin causes it-"to'harden even after having been annealed, (precisely at 7 50 F.'), it must beannealed repeatedly during the forming step in the process Each of these thigh sections 2 comprises asubstantially semi-cylindrical upper portion 3, which tapers downwardly and merges into,

but slightly tapering sides. The-duralumin a, lower portion 4:, which is substantially semicyl ndrical, or at least is cup shaped in form with substantially cylindrical and thigh element,a'fterbeing'formed, welded, v ground and polished, is finally tempered in order to restore to the element the uniform temper or hardnessi'or which duraluminqis noted;

The forward marginal edges 5 of the: two

thigh sections extend-preferably,straight downwardly along the medial line in the frontof the thigh and the center bottom region of the cup-shaped portion at, where this otherwise straight line terminates, at

an oiiset recessed region 6, beyond which,

toward the upper region of the rear 'of each thigh section, the straight marginal line To s continued. VVhenjthe two thigh sections are joined together so that their marginal ,edges 5 and? litsubstantiallyevenly, the

seams thus formed are very delicately weld ed by the use of an acetylene or oxyhydrogen torch," additional duralumin and a suitable flux, with the result that the vupper portion of the thigh element A is open toreceive the thigh-stump, and the lower rear regionzof said element is open. to provide'an aperture ;8, formed by theco-operat on of the oppositely disposed recessed region 6.

The oppositeside walls of-the thigh sections are provided withaligned aperturesQ, and a'tube 10 positioned so as to e xten d r portion 12 of the pin 11. t p 7 portions 12 project freely beyond the outer I surface of said thigh element for a purpose hereinafter described.

In the lower portion of said thigh element a small plate of duralumin -13 -is' so lposltioned and welded as to extend vertically from the'lowermost limit of the marginal edge 5 at its junction with its recessed portion fi-upwardly' to-"a' point but slightly; spaced below the axes of the apertures 9. Extending rearwardly from vthe laterally 1 oppositevertical edge portions of the plate 13 is'a pair of substantially parallel plates 13', which are not only Welded or formed in tegral extensions of the platelS, but at their rearmost edges-are welded-to the laterally opposite defining edges 6 of the recess 8.

Also extending between f the diametrical opposite side ofsaid thigh elementythrough the parallel plates 13- and to the rear ot' the apertures '9, is a'pin '14:, shown both in Figs.

land 7,1 and hereinafter referred to. When a'person has lost one limb only the exact shape and dimensions of the remaining limb are carefullyi'leproduced in a" block 15"preferably made of wood and shown in'Fig. 11,

or if both limbs have beenlostythis model shin block is made from known ideal shape and dimensions. In either case, two or more sheets of sheet duralumin are formed about this shin block; In the present instance,

two such sheets are u ed, onesheet 16 being shown in F igs. 1* and 6.-- The sheet -16is roughly :1 semi-cylinder, butin stead' ofbeing uniform in diameter, it conforms to the calf of'ones leg and thence merges intothe more restricted dimensionbetweenthe calf and the ankle, from which point'it-increases in size adjacent to that portionrepresenting ones ankle; 'Here, aswith' thethigh element, the dnralumin sections must be carefully annealed at 750YF., repeatedly and hammered into shape, after which the seams are welded,' ground and polished, following which the shin element as a unit is tempered to restore, its uniform hardnessfwhich the welding temporarily destroys.

The front andrear limit tions are' defined by preferably straight marginal edges 17 and 18, the corresponding edgesof'the two sections being joined and carefully welded as hereinbefore described in 'connection with the thigh element. "Theup'per portion of theppposed sections of this shin element crises atf19 upon their opposite sides intermediate oft he seams formed-by the unions of the edges 17 and 18. iThe upper region of the central portion of'each 'of the shin sections-l6 may be bent outwardly to form a flattened U-shaped channel portion 20, in which a strap 21 is either welded or rivet ed, said strap being provided with-an en- .larged upper end 22, having an aperture 23. through which extends'the adjacent en This makestheaperturedhead 22 of said I v V strap form a bearing, which, while possess ing a normally long life, can' be replaced f I when vworn-by removing said strap'jand' substituting therefor-faqnew str'ap of the shape of the onedescribed; In' theupper rear portion of the shin element a'-m'em-,

ber 24 is provided of any suitable material,

but preferably of woodxonother non-metal lic substance; The member '24: is provided with an" upper enlarged portion'125, bifur cated to provide a recess 26, through which extends the pin '14, and against, which pin the member 24 is finally forcedby; virtue of the lower tapering endlportion 27 of said memberresting within a stirrup -28,' support a ed by an elastic band 29, secured in turn by anys ntable means 30 to thelupper endportion of the said shin element; f a

-From this-construction it isobvious r with the proper tension provided on the i elastic 29the upwardforce exerted bythe meniber 21L upon the pin ll serves todnor 5 mally inaintainvthe thigh and shin elements in aligned position-to represent the natural.

ing the member 2 1 downwardly and iiarther 7 into theshin element- 'against the pressure of the elastic 29.

T rwaramost limit er the, thigh with J respect-"to the shin may [be predetermined in any suitable manner, asIfor-instance by forming the uppermost frontal Iedge per- V t onjof 'thelshin, so as-to-engagethe lower forward C UY VQd POPfiOII of the thigh as shown Fig.1. The upper rear edge port on 31 or" the shin element may becovered if desired by leather or other protecting:

loo 7 material, "andsimilarly the 'uppersregions at the upper extremity 33 so as to comfortably fit the thigh-stump without the neces-- ofthe thigh element maybe 'botlrinterna-lly v and externally padded at 32, and'cushioned I r j H) I sity otherwise of the metallic thigh element coming "into contact with the flesli' of the bruising or otherwise wearer and chafing, n uring the latter.

ThefootfelementC is formediofany suitable material to represent the outline or contour of a foot corresponding *inshape and 'size with the other foot of theweai'er,

neath which-latter is acushioning member 37; while a cushioning sole member 38 is sec-ured upon=and beneath the ball and 'toeq portions of the foot member. 'The upper rear po'rtionjof saidmeinber is cut outto' provide substantially V-shaped. reces=es 39 and 40, said recesses being spaced "apart; but between them said member being provided or corresponding'with idea1 dimensions, said 9 I footcornprising'ajbody portion :34, having atoe; section 35, 'and' a heel' section 36, be-.-

p with a concavely curved'lsurface 41,. in which oscillates apin42, which is secured by'bolts .43: to gabar 44,:wliicli;extendsibetween and iswel-ded oris otherwisepermanentlysecuredito. tliediametrically. opposite sides of theankleportion of the shin element 13..

5 :i TllQ pin. 42 is provided centrallyxwith a circumferential groove 45, in which is positioned the upper-portion of "a-u shaped inem- -ber:-t6, the opposite end portions. of which latter are parallel and extend downwardly through 'theinstep portion of the foot elelIlBlltQ'iLIlCl project into a recess 48 in the said instep portion. Herethe ends of the -member 46; pass through apertures in the central U-shaped portion 49 of a metal stirrup; and

' V and uniformly agaiiistthe under surface of are gfirmly secured in position by nuts or other fastening means 50. The laterally opposite ends 5.1'oi"1the stirrup 49e'xtend laterally-beyondthe limits :of the -r'ecesses48 if the instep portion of the footaelementin: such manner as to distribute'tlie: pressure of the so i U-shaped' member 46 over as .largean areaas possible,'iii*order to.preventaloosening of the-"otherwise unyielding relatively Joscil I latable union between the shin and foot sections at tliexankle as represented by the P111 42- i I :Inthelower;surfacesofthe V shaped recessesf39-and40 cushion members 52 1 are 7 provided, and secured aga nst lateral movef ment in any suitable mariner, said cushioning members 'at[ their upper limits bearing againsta' p air ofd'uralumin plates 53 and 54:,

which are welded at. their peripheraligedge' Y portions tothe adjacent lower edges of the sections 16,"wl1ich--after.- being. welded to,-

ogetheri comprise the shin element B, said plates being spaced apart a suflicient disrtahcetoform .an aperture-54$,xin which is.

I positioned the pin 42 and upper (portions of polished.

are ground and buriiishedso as to eliminate visible evidence that a seamexists at such points; after 1' which these elements may be I platechienameled or otherwise finished inanyf desired manner.

l. Having thus "described my; invention',what

I claim and: desire to" protectbyLetter's Patent of the United States is:-j; I

' L An artificial limb coinprising ahollow thigh elementihaving an aperture 111 ts,

"lowerfand rear portions, anda pair of plates Within said thigh. securedqtoitheopposite ,*edges of saidaperture, a pin extending tiween theudiametrically opposite fside: walls Ofsaid-thigh element adjacent to said aper- V ture .andthrough said plates, a shin element,

a member extending within said shin aiid normally engaging, said; pin; resilient. means connecting said member to saidgshin, where-' by 1 a predetermined relative position s nornially maintained between said elements, I

- .2. An artificial limb comprising a hollow thigh eleme'ntlhavmg an. aperture in its loweriaiid. rear port-ions, and; a pair of i plates within .said thigh secured to .theopposite edges ot said aperture, a pin extending be tween :the ;d1ainetricall'v oppos te side. walls ofsaid thigh element adjacent to said aper ture andtlirough' said plates, ashin' eleme'nt, a member. extend ng w-ithinsaid shiniand normally engaging said; piin resilient means connecting said member to said shin, whereby a predetermined. relative position isnor mallymaintained between said elements, a. p votal, connection 'betweei'iy said elements,

and said elementsbeing relatively i ovable is I aboutsaid pivot-againstthetension ot said resilient' means. 4

, In an artificiallimb, tlie combiiiatioiiioit shin and foot elements an axis-ipiin neans' to secure said pin to said shin blefljeiit jmeansi-to secure said pin; and perii iit its; .08}

cillation with respect to said foot element, said last-named means compr s ng: a

shaped staple having threaded'slianks ex tending through 'saidfootp a saddle plate i positioned against the undersu'rface; of said foot and aperturedto permit; said threaded.

shanksto extend therethrough, andnuts car- .ried said slia ilissto securesaid shanks 7 against. removal through said saddlev and across and operative to distribute thetension upon said staple shanks across the width foot, said saddle extending; transversely said foot.

' '1. Anartifieial; 'if 'nit. cioiiiprisingsshirif n t foot elements, apin carriedtransversely by said shin and. engaging said 5 foot, an apertured saddle upon theunderside and extend; ing across substantially theentire width oi.

said foot, and a staplev surrounding said in V .and having shanks extending throughsaid footand sai dlsaddle, and meanske ngag ng" theshanks of said staple and said saddleto prevent. the. separation of the shin from iio footpisaid stas s being operative "td'dist ibg iitev the tensionupon said staple'shanks 'versely across thewidth of saidlfooti member, and a foot; in combination "wit-life staple carried by said foot; apin: iext'endin transversely o f said f shin "member I J an j through said staple, a; bar; extending I be: 7

t e nand secured ,tothe opposite. sides of i i said shin nien'iber, and means 1 to Y i einovably secure saidpi to,;'and to support said pin y from saidb lt, t g

' In-testimony; whereof I have affixed. my gnatu c v b.

".l t' jwm R1: W AM -f" 

